No, OhSoWicked, I think you are wrong. Performing for the President is an inherently political act. The President doesn't write legislation, collect taxes or go into combat--he is a figure-head, a symbol and the head of a political party. (In this case, TRULY just a figure head).
The blond bobble head can (as has been stated here many times) choose to perform for the President--that is absolutely her right (God Bless America, etc.). But she either does so conscious of the symbolism of accepting his invitation (i.e. "I am singing for you because I support your policies) or blind to the symbolism, but make no mistake--she casts herself as a supporter of his administration and its policies. Not every last rule and regulation, but certainly the broad themes. And clearly, the oppression, de-humanization and out-right persecution of gay men and lesbians is a broad theme of this administration. Bush and Rove and Co. have pandered to their base, using gay issues in a variety of ways, to the detriment of the gay community.
Now, bobble head is a pretty, white girl from somewhere Red, and has every right to be a supporter of Bush & Co. (God bless America). It is un-realistic of people (I think) to feel that because she works in a field with, traditionally, a concentration of gay men she must refuse his invitation out of "solidarity" with her gay co-workers.
But BH (and others) should not be surprised at a strong reaction of hostility towards her from gay people. In our capitalist culture, shopping is a political act--you can be damned sure I am not buying her CDs as a direct result of her appearance at the Bush inaugural (i.e. her endorsement of the Bush agenda).
A presidential inaugural is a major event and possibly a career builder. But as I said recently on the Ashlee Simpson thread, we are sometimes given an opportunity to do the right thing, and if we miss that opportunity--for whatever reason--we must accept the judgements that follow.
I think the notion put forward previously on this thread of taking the opportunity of the "bully pulpit" of an audience with the President to make a strong statement is a good one--but misses the point of the symbolism. It is not Bush's acts as an individual (how does G.W. Bush "feel" about gays and lesbians?) that matters--it is the actions of his administration.
"They have never understood, and no reason that they should.
But if anybody could . . . " --SS
Updated On: 1/14/05 at 01:58 AM
